Samuel ‘Sam’ V. Bussey III, 54
Sam was the beloved son of Sam and Teri Bussey born in Helena March 26, 1966. He passed away from a heart attack at his home on July 1, 2020.
Sam grew up in Kalispell from the age of 7 and graduated from Flathead High School in 1984. After attending the University of Montana for one year he moved to Seattle and then to San Diego where he worked in construction. He returned to Kalispell where he worked in retail at Drug Fair (Super Fair) at which time he found a passion in photography and camera equipment. His outgoing personality, quick wit and sense of humor were recognized by many of his customers who then became lifelong friends.
Sam became a father to the pride and joy of his life, Logan Samuel Bussey, in March of 1989. The devotional love Sam and Logan shared was remarkable and will last into eternity. Sam was extremely proud of all of Logan’s accomplishments, especially his scholastic achievements and he thoroughly exercised his bragging rights. In 2010 the two of them went on a two-month European tour at which time, while visiting Bientina, Italy, they found the birthplace of Sam’s great-grandfather, Fiorendo Bachini. Logan married Anne Macy in 2016 and Sam could not have been happier to have her as a daughter.
Sam opened his own camera store, Sam’s Cameras and Electronics, in 1994 where he greatly enjoyed transitioning from film to digital photography. After the store closure, in 2005, he went to work for Burlington Northern Railroad.
An unfortunate accident resulted in a diagnosis of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (a debilitating, 24/7 condition with no cure). As a hidden blessing, however, he was able to re-discover his passion for photography and begin another business, Wild Reflections Photography. Sam discovered a few beautiful areas around the state where he was able to photograph wildlife without having to hike deep into the wilderness. The locations are a secret known only to him, but he was proud to share his wonderful photographs with the world.
Additionally, for the last few years, Sam worked for Torent in Kalispell where he was able to work without aggravating his RSD symptoms and was much beloved by his colleagues.
As some of you may know, one of Sam’s goals in life was to convert his liberal and socialist close friends to conservatism. You know who you are. We believe he may apply his pressure “from above.”
Sam will forever be greatly missed by his surviving son, Logan and wife Anne, his parents Sam and Teri Bussey, his sister Trina and her husband Pat, his nieces Marissa and Cherise, nephew Mitchell, Uncle Dick Bachini, many good friends and extended relatives.
He was a devout Catholic and is now in heaven with our Lord, his grandparents Sam and Ruby Bussey, and Vasco and Anne Bachini.
At Sam’s request, there will be no funeral services. Sam’s family would like you to hug the ones you love and tell them you love them often. Sam and his family always say “I love you”; there are no questions in our minds about the love we share.
Donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.
Friends are encouraged to visit the website www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.